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Chelsea: Playing for the first-team is not infeasible for Baba Rahman

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

VELDEN, AUSTRIA - JULY 20: Baba Rahman of Chelsea in action during the friendly match between WAC RZ Pellets and Chelsea F.C. at Worthersee Stadion on July 20, 2016 in Velden, Austria. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
VELDEN, AUSTRIA - JULY 20: Baba Rahman of Chelsea in action during the friendly match between WAC RZ Pellets and Chelsea F.C. at Worthersee Stadion on July 20, 2016 in Velden, Austria. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images) /
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Baba Rahman is reportedly looking to be in Antonio Conte’s plans when he returns from injury. Given Chelsea’s current predicament, it’s not infeasible.

As Chelsea trundle towards the January transfer window, rumours are linking them with a number of high-profile signings. After a poor summer of transfer business, the Blues find themselves some 16 points behind Manchester City. While the headlines will be focussed on big-money arrivals, Baba Rahman is bidding to force his way into first-team plans.

According to the Daily Mail, the Ghanaian is looking to be in contention for a senior squad role. The defender is close to a return on the back of a serious knee injury.

"Chelsea defender Baba Rahman is pushing to be back in contention to play for Antonio Conte in January…Rahman has pushed himself into consideration for Conte but knows he has offers of loan moves also should he fail to figure."

Baba Rahman’s career at Stamford Bridge has been odd to say the least. The relatively unknown defender came over in a surprising deal. He then featured infrequently during the disastrous 2015/16 campaign before being loaned to Schalke last season.

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His cruciate ligament injury has sidelined him since February and taken him out of the general Chelsea picture. However, as the Blues look to reinforce their wingback positions, Baba Rahman could be the convenient and easy option.

Chelsea have been linked with a move for Alex Sandro over the last year, but no deal has materialised. Despite reports claiming that he is open to a January switch, the asking price will be hefty.

With their title defence over, the Blues shouldn’t feel pressured into spending excessive amounts of money mid-season. Sandro is unlikely to be snapped up by other clubs during January. Hence, Conte could use Baba Rahman as a backup wingback until the summer transfer window.

Moreover, this would also give Baba Rahman an opportunity to truly show his potential. Chelsea spent somewhere around £20 million on him. Given the extensive and thorough scouting system in place, the Ghanaian must have something about him.

The 2015/16 season was no appropriate environment for a young player to strut his stuff. The upcoming half-season, though, will be ideal. Marcos Alonso, Victor Moses and Davide Zappacosta will be ahead in the pecking order, but Baba Rahman will get his fair share of game-time in cup fixtures and the odd Premier League clash.

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What do you think? Should Baba Rahman become a backup wingback in January? Or should Chelsea delve into the expensive mid-season market? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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